$130 million
October and November are two of the most dangerous months in Michigan for car-deer crashes, according to AAA Michigan Motor Club. “Car-deer crashes in Michigan cause at least $130 million in damage annually, with an average cost of $2,135 per vehicle,” said Michigan Deer Crash Coalition (MDCC) Chair Jack Peet. Recognizing this fact, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has proclaimed October as “Michigan Car-Deer Crash Safety Awareness Month.” In 2006, Michigan experienced a 4 percent increase in the number of total car-deer crashes. According to the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center, there were 60,875 deer-vehicle crashes in 2006, up from 58,741 crashes reported in 2005. However, officials note that many crashes also go unreported, so actual crash numbers are much higher. Last year, 12 people lost their lives in deer crashes and another 1,477 were injured.
$175 million
Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield recently announced plans to build a new $175 million headquarters in downtown Des Moines. The health insurer signed an agreement to gain control of 61/2 acres of downtown property, most from Iowa Health-Des Moines, according to a copyright story in the Des Moines Register. The project includes a 2,000-car parking garage and a 500,000-square-foot headquarters in either of two buildings. Wellmark considered a move to West Des Moines and bought 66 acres of land there earlier this year, but decided instead to stay downtown with its 1,600 employees.
2,270
A statewide crackdown on people driving while intoxicated resulted in at least 2,270 arrests, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety reported. More than 400 agencies across the state participated in the department’s “Safe and Sober” campaign from Aug. 17 to Sept. 3. Preliminary arrest totals had been received by 317 of the participating agencies by late this week. Authorities statewide cited nearly 42,000 motor-ists for drunken driving in 2006, a record high for arrests, according to the Department of Public Safety. Drunken driving was responsible for 166 deaths on Minnesota roads last year, the department said.
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